Increasing the Efficiency of Solar Cells By Transfer of Solder

ABSTRACT

Embodiments relate to thickening a contact grid of a solar cell for increased efficiency. A mold containing soldering material is heated. The mold is aligned with the contact grid such that the soldering material is in physical contact with the contact grid. The mold is re-heated, transferring the solder material from the mold to the contact grid to create a thickened contact grid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/591,305, filed Aug. 22, 2012, titled “Increasing the Efficiency of Solar Cells By Transfer of Solder”, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a solar cell. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and system for increasing the efficiency of a solar cell by increasing the thickness of a contact grid to reduce resistance in the cell.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Solar cells convert radiation energy into electrical energy. Much research has been conducted to maximize the efficiency of the solar cell. One limitation in maximizing efficiency is the lost energy due to internal series resistance of the cell. To collect the current of electrons that flows over the surface of the solar cell, a contact grid must be embedded in the conductive material of the cell. Because the internal resistance of a typical solar cell is relatively high, the contact grid of the solar cell is placed across the surface of a cell to minimize the distance an electron has to travel on the surface of a cell, thus minimizing ohmic losses due to internal resistance.

One aspect to increase solar cell efficiency uses light induced electroplating to thicken the contact grid of a solar cell to reduce series resistance. Electroplating in general is a relatively complicated process that requires processing time and for some applications the use of hazardous materials, such as lead and various electrochemicals. Accordingly, an alternative method and product that increases efficiency of a solar cell is desired.

SUMMARY

The embodiments described herein comprise a solar cell.

In one aspect, a solar cell with a contact grid having an increased thickness is provided. The solar cell comprises of an active layer in communication with a substrate. The substrate comprises an embedded contact grid having a conducting material with a first thickness. The contact grid is provided in communication with a diode. The contact grid is further provided with at least one solder ball pre-formed in a mold and transferred from the mold to the contact grid. More specifically, the mold is aligned with the contact grid such that the solder ball is in physical contact with the contact grid. The mold is heated such that the solder ball is melted, detached from the mold, and soldered to the contact grid. The melting of the solder ball softens the solder material such that the solder adheres to the contact grid, and increases the thickness of the contact grid to a second thickness. Accordingly, a solar cell is provided with an increased thickness of the contact grid to reduce resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings referenced herein form a part of the specification. Features shown in the drawings are meant as illustrative of only some embodiments of the invention, and not of all embodiments of the invention unless otherwise explicitly indicated. Implications to the contrary are otherwise not to be made.

FIG. 1 depicts a flow chart illustrating a process for thickening the contact grid of a solar cell.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are illustrative drawings of a mold containing soldering material.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrative drawings depicting the transfer of solder material from a mold to a contact grid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention, as presented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “a select embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “a select embodiment,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of sensors, detectors, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the invention as claimed herein.

In the following description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and which shows by way of illustration the specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized because structural changes may be made without departing form the scope of the present invention.

A solar cell is a semiconductor device that converts radiation energy into electrical energy. Reference herein to a diode, solar cell, and active layer are considered synonymous with a solar cell and the definition thereof.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart (100) depicting a method for increasing the thickness of a contact grid embedded in a solar cell. A solar cell with an embedded contact grid is provided, the contact grid has a thickness (104), where x is an integer. Initially, the variable x is set to the integer one (102). A mold is provided having at least one hollowed out area to receive and contain a solder material (106). In one embodiment, the hollowed out area can be a desired shape, e.g. a semi-sphere. Similarly, in one embodiment, the mold includes an array of hollowed out areas, each of the areas configured to receive solder material.

The mold is heated (108) such that the solder material softens and forms into spherical balls. In one embodiment, the mold is heated such that the solder material protrudes from the hollowed out area of the mold. Following the transformation of the solder material, the mold is aligned with the contact grid such that the solder material is placed in physical contact with the contact grid (110). In one embodiment, the contact grid includes a landing area to direct the alignment of the mold and the contact grid, and the mold is aligned such that the solder material is placed in contact with the landing area of the contact grid. The mold is then re-heated such that the solder material liquefies, e.g. softens, and is transferred from the mold to the contact grid (112). In one embodiment, the hollowed out area of the mold is a desired shape, is left in contact with the solder material until the solder material has solidified with the contact grid, and shapes the solder to take on the desired shape of the hollowed out area.

Upon solidification of the solder, the contact grid increases to a greater thickness_(x+1) (114). It is then determined if the contact grid has reached the desired thickness (116). If the contact grid has reached the desired thickness, the process concludes. If an even greater contact grid thickness is desired, the integer x is incremented (118) followed by a return to step (104). In one embodiment, the integer x may be incremented by a fraction of a whole number. Accordingly, the thickness of the contact grid of a solar cell can be increased to a desired thickness.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are illustrative drawings (200) of a mold with solder material. FIG. 2A shows a mold (202) having an array of hollowed out areas (204). In one embodiment the mold is a glass plate. An apparatus (206) fills the hollowed out areas with a solder material (208). In one embodiment, the solder material (208) is lead-free, e.g. solder without lead. FIG. 2B shows the mold (202) with the soldering material (208) contained in the hollowed out areas of the mold (204). FIG. 2C shows the mold (202) heated up such that the soldering material transforms into at least one spherically shaped solder ball (210). Accordingly, solder material is provided with a mold to contain and shape the material.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrative drawings (300) depicting the transfer of solder material from a first mold (302) to a contact grid (304) embedded in a solar cell (306). In one embodiment, the contact grid is embedded in the solar cell via screen printing. FIG. 3A shows a first mold (302) having an array of hollowed out areas (308). The first mold when heated up softens the solder and transfers the solder material (310) from the hollowed out areas (308) to the contact grid (304). In one embodiment, the solder (310) is thicker on the contact grid (304) where the hollowed out areas have been aligned (312). In another embodiment, the solder is shaped by the shape of the hollowed out areas and maintains some of that shape upon solidification on the contact grid (304). The formation of the solder material (310) with the contact grid (304) thickens the contact grid (320) reducing series resistance, and increasing efficiency of the solar cell (306).

FIG. 3B is an illustrative drawing of one embodiment of the invention. After having thickened the contact grid with solder material (310), as shown in FIG. 3A, the process can be repeated to increase the thickness of the contact grid (320) embedded in solar cell (326). More specifically, a second mold containing hollowed out areas (314) filled with solder is heated up containing additional solder material (316) in the array of hollowed out areas (318). The second mold (314) is aligned with the thickened contact grid (320). The second mold (314) is re-heated such that the solder material softens and transfers from the hollowed out areas (318) of the second mold (314) to the thickened contact grid (320). This process can be repeated until a contact grid with a desired thickness is achieved. In one embodiment, the second mold (314) is different than the first mold (302). In another embodiment, the second mold (314) may contain an array of hollowed out areas (318) shaped differently than the hollowed out areas (308) of the first mold. Accordingly, a contact grid with a desired thickness and shape is achieved to minimize series resistance.

As shown herein, a solar cell is provided with a contact grid having a defined thickness. The configuration of the mold together with the solder material provides a basis to reduce electrical resistance by increasing the thickness of the contact grid. More specifically, the solder in the hollowed out areas of the mold are heated such that the solder melts to provide a low resistivity contact between the mold and the solar cell. Accordingly, the thickness of the contact grid is increased to a desired thickness through use of the mold and the solder material.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed.

Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

It will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this invention is limited only by the following claims and their equivalents. 

We claim:
 1. A solar cell comprising: a diode comprised of an active layer in communication with a substrate; a contact grid embedded in the substrate and comprised of a conducting material in communication with the active layer, the contact grid having a first thickness; and the contact grid thickness to increase from the first thickness to a second thickness, the second thickness greater than the first thickness, the contact grid comprising solder pre-formed in a first mold, the solder to transfer from the first mold to the contact grid, including alignment of the first mold with the contact grid wherein the solder is in physical contact with the contact grid and heated until the solder is melted, detached from the first mold, and soldered to the contact grid to form the second thickness.
 2. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the mold is glass.
 3. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the solder is lead free.
 4. The solar cell of claim 1, the contact grid further comprising a landing area, the solder placed in contact with the landing area when the mold is aligned with the contact grid.
 5. The solar cell of claim 1, wherein the contact grid is embedded in the substrate via screen printing. 